common-architecture-diagramming
Standards for creating clear, effective, and formalized software architecture diagrams (C4, UML). (triggers: ARCHITECTURE.md, **/*.mermaid, **/*.drawio, diagram, architecture, c4, system design, mermaid)
Best use case
common-architecture-diagramming is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Standards for creating clear, effective, and formalized software architecture diagrams (C4, UML). (triggers: ARCHITECTURE.md, **/*.mermaid, **/*.drawio, diagram, architecture, c4, system design, mermaid)
Teams using common-architecture-diagramming should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/common-architecture-diagramming/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How common-architecture-diagramming Compares
| Feature / Agent | common-architecture-diagramming | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Standards for creating clear, effective, and formalized software architecture diagrams (C4, UML). (triggers: ARCHITECTURE.md, **/*.mermaid, **/*.drawio, diagram, architecture, c4, system design, mermaid)
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# Architecture Diagramming Standard ## **Priority: P1 (Standard)** ## Guidelines - **Use C4 Model**: Context->Container->Component->Code. - **Audience-Centric**: Tailor abstraction (Execs vs. Devs). - **Select Type**: Sequence (Protocol), ERD (Data), State (Lifecycle), Cloud (Infra). _See [Selection](references/diagram-selection.md)_ - **Explicit Labels**: Label _every_ arrow (e.g., "Uses", "HTTPS"). - **Consistent Notation**: Cylinders=DB, Rectangles=Systems, Dashed=Async. - **Metadata**: Title, Date, Version, Author. - **Legend Mandatory**: Define all shapes/colors/styles. - **Direction**: `graph LR` (Flow) or `graph TD` (Hierarchy). - **Deployment**: Map containers to infrastructure. - **Governance**: CRITICAL: Review [best-practices.md](references/best-practices.md) before starting. ## Anti-Patterns - **Mixed Levels**: DB columns in System Context. - **Unlabeled Arrows**: Ambiguous relations. - **Mystery Shapes**: Undefined in Legend. - **Dead Ends**: Unconnected nodes. - **Clutter**: >20 nodes/diagram. - **Acronyms**: Undefined abbreviations. ## References - [Diagram Selection](references/diagram-selection.md) - [Cloud Architecture](references/cloud-architecture.md) - [C4 Model Guide](references/c4-model.md) - [Checklist](references/checklist.md) - [Best Practices](references/best-practices.md)
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